Medical Bill Assistance?
Goes to show how bad our healthcare system is even if we HAVE insurance. I had chest torment a while back, went to the hospital, doctor ordered a few test. I was insured with United Healthcare, out of a 1200 dollar bill, they rewarded 30 bucks. I was so upset I canceled without deputing similar to i had to do with almost every other doctor call round in which they refused to wages. It didn't seem right that I pay over 100 bucks a month for insurance, and they wont rate. Now i'm getting bills for it, I think NC law say the hospital can't report it to your credit, but it don't stop them from turning it over to a collection agency that can. I know some states forbid this, but not NC. I went to medicaid, they can't cover me because I have a undertaking, despite my income, that is, unless i'm a non-american...thats just wrong I reason. I plan on buying a home soon, is there any organization out in that than can help me? If not, is there something i can do? My coverage plainly wasn't worth a damn.
Unfortunately some insurance plans do not properly explain or breakdown your coverages. They give you a huge stack of papers and say here this is your plan. I would suggest calling the insurance company and see why more wasn't remunerated. It may be as simple as your doctor saying that it was medically needed. Maybe even refiling. Also what is your deductible? My husband I chose a copay which is more expensive, but we hold great coverage. Then call the hospital and explain the situation and see if they will let you settle it for smaller amount. They are allowed to write off some debt and collect something rather than nought. Ask questions to everyone, all they can utter is NO! Good luck and read your plan.
It really is your responsibility to formulate sure you have good insurance coverage. You shouldn't continue until you get the bill to find out what's covered and what isn't. If your employer only offered inferior strength insurance then you should have bought supplemental insurance or found another employer. The reality that you paid "over $100 bucks a month" for health insurance might own been a clue that the insurance wasn't very suitable.
Answers: First off, did your insurance pay according to the benefits quoted? If you don't know or aren't sure, telephone call them and ask. Also make sure that the hospital took whatever contractual discounts they are required to if they be participating with your insurance. Make sure you are being billed for one and only the amount you owe! If the hospital was not participating, being you be having chest pain could crash under an emergent situation where you have little choice in going to a contracted hospital. Make sure the insurnce knows this. It may net a difference in how the claim was remunerated.
Many facilities have assistance programs to relieve patients that qualify. See if yours has one.
Short of that, you may be stuck making payments. But be aware,that may or may not keep the hospital from assigning it to a collection agency.